Effect of exogenus protease on performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal histomorphometric, meat quality characteristics, carcass yield in broilers fed low protein diets.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of protease on broilers from 1 to 42 days of age. A total of 1290 Ross AP broilers were used, distributed among five treatments: positive control diet, negative control diet (NC), NC + 50 ppm of protease, NC + 100 ppm of protease, and NC + 200 ppm of protease. Each treatment contained six replicates of 43 animals each. The inclusion of proteases in the diet had effects (P < 0.05) on body weight, feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion in the 12 to 21 day period; body weight, weight gain, and feed intake in the 29 to 42 day period; nutrient digestibility (energy metabolizability coefficient and crude protein at 28 days); and intestinal parameters (crypt and muscle width of jejunum and ileum at 28 days and villus length, crypt length, and jejunum thickness muscle layer at 42 days). These results indicate that the inclusion of protease in broiler feed can improve production parameters when the amount of crude protein in the diet is reduced.

Common themes and challenges in hemophilia care: a multinational perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To identify ways that provision of hemophilia care can be maximized at the local level, irrespective of available resources or cultural or geographic challenges. METHODS: The SHIELD group used its multinational experience to share examples of local initiatives that have been employed to deliver optimal hemophilia care. RESULTS: The examples were reviewed and categorized into four key themes: guidelines and algorithms for delivery of care; collaboration with patients and allied groups for care and education; registries for the monitoring of treatment and outcomes and health care planning and delivery; and opportunities for personalization of care. These themes were then incorporated into a road map for collaborative care in hemophilia that reflected the contribution of best practice. DISCUSSION: Differing healthcare reimbursement systems, budgetary constraints, and geographical and cultural factors make it difficult for any country to fully deliver ideal care for people with hemophilia. The SHIELD approach for collaborative care provides illustrative examples of how four key themes can be used to optimize hemophilia care in any setting. ABBREVIATIONS: AHCDC: Association of Hemophilia Clinic Directors of Canada; AICE: Italian Association of Hemophilia Centres; ATHN: American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network; EAHAD: European Association for Haemophilia and Allied Disorders; EHC: European Hemophilia Consortium; FIX: Coagulation Factor IX; FVIII: Coagulation Factor VIII; HAL: Haemophilia Activity List; HJHS: Haemophilia Joint Health Score; HTC: Hemophilia Treatment Centre; HTCCNC: Hemophilia Treatment Centre Collaborative Network of China; MASAC: Medical and Scientific Advisory Council; MDT: Multidisciplinary team; NHD: National Haemophilia Database; NHF: National Hemophilia Foundation; PK: Pharmacokinetics; POCUS: Point of care ultrasound; PWH: People with haemophilia; SHIELD: Supporting Hemophilia through International Education, Learning and Development; WFH: World Federation of Hemophilia.

Transcriptomic analysis of basidiocarp development in Ustilago maydis (DC) Cda.

Previously, we demonstrated that when Ustilago maydis (DC) Cda., a phytopathogenic basidiomycete and the causal agent of corn smut, is grown in the vicinity of maize embryogenic calli in a medium supplemented with the herbicide Dicamba, it developed gastroid-like basidiocarps. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the basidiocarp development by the fungus, we proceeded to analyze the transcriptome of the process, identifying a total of 2002 and 1064 differentially expressed genes at two developmental stages, young and mature basidiocarps, respectively. Function of these genes was analyzed with the use of different databases. MIPS analysis revealed that in the stage of young basidiocarp, among the ca. two thousand differentially expressed genes, there were some previously described for basidiocarp development in other fungal species. Additional elements that operated at this stage included, among others, genes encoding the transcription factors FOXO3, MIG3, PRO1, TEC1, copper and MFS transporters, and cytochromes P450. During mature basidiocarp development, important up-regulated genes included those encoding hydrophobins, laccases, and ferric reductase (FRE/NOX). The demonstration that a mapkk mutant was unable to form basidiocarps, indicated the importance of the MAPK signaling pathway in this developmental process.

Dimorphism and hydrocarbon metabolism in Yarrowia lipolytica var. indica.

Yarrowia lipolytica is able to metabolize high Mr hydrophobic natural compounds such as fatty acids and hydrocarbons. Characteristically, strains of Y. lipolytica can grow as populations with variable proportions of yeast and filamentous forms. In the present study, we describe the dimorphic characteristics of a variant designated as Y. lipolytica var. indica isolated from petroleum contaminated sea water and the effect of cell morphology on hydrocarbon metabolism. The variant behaved as a yeast monomorphic strain, under conditions at which terrestrial Y. lipolytica strain W29 and its derived strains, grow as almost uniform populations of mycelial cells. Using organic nitrogen sources and N-acetylglucosamine as carbon source, var. indica was able to form mycelial cells, the proportion of which increased when incubated under semi-anaerobic conditions. The cell surface characteristics of var. indica and W29 were found to be different with respect to contact angle and percent hydrophobicity. For instance, percent hydrophobicity of var. indica was 89.93 ± 1.95 while that of W29 was 70.78 ± 1.1. Furthermore, while all tested strains metabolize hydrocarbons, only var. indica was able to use it as a carbon source. Yeast cells of var. indica metabolized hexadecane with higher efficiency than the mycelial form, whereas the mycelial form of the terrestrial strain metabolized the hydrocarbon more efficiently, as occurred with the mycelial monomorphic mutant AC11, compared to the yeast monomorphic mutant AC1.

Aplicación de técnicas psicodramáticas en un taller de autoestima / No disponible

Aplicar técnicas psicodramáticas a un grupo de autoestima, viene precedido de la necesidad de que las componentes del grupo dejaran a un lado el lenguaje superficial en el cual se encontraban. Se considera el psicodrama de Rojas Bermúdez el más indicado puesto que permite observar las formas en que el grupo se expresa, pero a través de actos, no de palabras. De esta forma se evita interpretar y se basa en comprender la estructura vivencial de la forma expresada. Los resultados fueron satisfactorios puesto que desde el comienzo de la aplicación de las técnicas psicodramáticas el grupo comenzó a tener un clima más íntimo y a trabajar temas de importancia para su desarrollo personal. En este artículo se describe la aplicación de algunas de las técnicas utilizadas (AU)

Apply psychodramatic techniques to a group of self-esteem, is preceded by the need for the members of the group to leave aside the surface language in which they were. The Psychodrama of Rojas-Bermudez is considered the most appropriate one it considers the ways in which the group gets expressed, but through actions, not words. This avoids interpreting and is based is based in understanding on experiential structure as expressed. The results were satisfactory because from the beginning of the application of psychodrama techniques the group began to have a more intimate atmosphere and work important issues to their personal development. This article describes the application of some of the techniques used (AU)

Copper toxicosis in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Six 12- to 14-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were diagnosed with copper toxicosis. These rabbits were part of a group of 110 purchased and shipped overnight for research purposes. On arrival, the group experienced an abrupt diet change. Eight died over 3 weeks and 6 were submitted for postmortem examination. Microscopic findings included severe centrilobular to midzonal hepatocellular necrosis with rhodanine stain-positive copper granules in the remaining hepatocytes. Mild periportal fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia, hemoglobinuric nephrosis, and splenic erythrophagocytosis were also observed. Hepatic copper concentrations were elevated, ranging from 319 to 997 ppm. Clinical disease was not previously observed in younger rabbits gradually transitioned from the supplier's copper-supplemented diet. Copper toxicosis likely occurred in these rabbits from a combination of (1) increased duration of copper supplementation leading to increased hepatocellular stores and (2) stress leading to anorexia and release of hepatocellular copper stores similar to chronic copper toxicosis as described in sheep.

Cyanuric acid biodegradation by a mixed bacterial culture of Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Acinetobacter sp. in a packed bed biofilm reactor.

Cyanuric acid (1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triol [OOOT]) is a common biodegradation byproduct of triazinic herbicides, frequently accumulated in soils or water when supplementary carbon sources are absent. A binary bacterial culture able to degrade OOOT was selected through a continuous selection process accomplished in a chemostat fed with a mineral salt (MS) medium containing cyanuric acid as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. By sequence comparison of their 16S rDNA amplicons, bacterial strains were identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Acinetobacter sp. When the binary culture immobilized in a packed bed reactor (PBR) was fed with MS medium containing OOOT (50 mg L(-1)), its removal efficiencies were about 95%; when it was fed with OOOT plus glucose (120 mg L(-1)) as a supplementary carbon source, its removal efficiencies were closer to 100%. From sessile cells, attached to PBR porous support, or free cells present in the outflowing medium, DNA was extracted and used for Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA analysis. Electrophoretic patterns obtained were compared to those of pure bacterial strains, a clear predominance of A. tumefaciens in PBR was observed. Although in continuous suspended cell culture, a stable binary community could be maintained, the attachment capability of A. tumefaciens represented a selective advantage over Acinetobacter sp. in the biofilm reactor, favoring its predominance in the porous stone support.

Slurry-phase biodegradation of weathered oily sludge waste.

We assessed the biodegradation of a typical oily sludge waste (PB401) in Mexico using several regimes of indigenous microbial consortium and relevant bioremediation strategies in slurry-phase system. Abiotic loss of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in the PB401 was insignificant, and degradation rates under the various treatment conditions ranged between 666.9 and 2168.7 mg kg(-1) day(-1) over a 15 days reaction period, while viable cell count peaked at between log(10)5.7 and log(10)7.4 cfu g(-1). Biostimulation with a commercial fertilizer resulted in 24% biodegradation of the TPH in the oily waste and a corresponding peak cell density of log(10)7.4 cfu g(-1). Addition of non-indigenous adapted consortium did not appear to enhance the removal of TPH from the oily waste. It would appear that the complexities of the components of the alkylaromatic fraction of the waste limited biodegradation rate even in a slurry system.

MAPKs entry into the nucleus at specific interchromatin domains in plant differentiation and proliferation processes.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are involved in the signaling of extracellular stimuli in eukaryotes, including plants. Different MAPKs have recently been shown to be expressed during plant cell proliferation and developmental processes such as pollen development and embryogenesis, but the structural subdomain where these MAPKs are targeted in the nucleus has not yet been characterized. We have determined the changes in the expression and subcellular localization of ERK homologues, proteins belonging to the MAPK family, and MAPK-active forms in two plant developmental processes which involved differentiation (pollen maturation) and proliferation (the initials of pollen embryogenesis). Immunofluorescence and immunogold labeling in the species studied showed that the progression of differentiation and proliferation was accompanied by an increase in the expression of ERKs and MAPK activation together with a translocation to the nucleus. Combining ultrastructural cytochemistry and immunogold for RNA and phosphorylated proteins we have identified the nuclear sites housing these MAPKs in areas of the interchromatin region enriched in RNA and phosphoproteins that include clusters of interchromatin granules. This could suggest a role of these MAPKs in the early events of activation of the transcription and processing machinery, via phosphorylation, which subsequently would be recruited to the transcription sites. The association of the nuclear localization of MAPKs with the progression through the cell cycle and the commitment toward differentiation in the two plant developmental processes can be correlated.

Trypanocidal activity of 4 isopropyl salicylaldehyde and 4-isopropyl salicylic acid on Trypanosoma cruzi.

We synthesized and study the possible trypanocidal activity of 4-isopropyl salicylaldehyde and 4-isopropyl salicylic acid, these compounds were chemical derivatives of gossypol, a drug that inhibits the growth of T. cruzi in culture. These derivatives were tested in two T. cruzi strains with different in vitro susceptibility to benznidazole and nifurtimox, used as a reference drugs. It was found that they were better inhibitors of T. cruzi alpha-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase than gossypol, in both strains. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological tests were performed and in both test, the gossypol derivatives showed a higher and better trypanocidal effect than gossypol, and a higher and much better trypanocidal effect than nifurtimox and benznidazole in the two studied T. cruzi strains. The trypanocidal effect was higher in the NINOA strain than in the MIGUZ strain.

Decisions on child care: do sex and sexual orientation matter?

This experiment on person perception used a role-playing methodology to examine whether a target individual's sex and sexual orientation influence perceived abilities as a child care worker. Men and women (N = 78) role played the part of a parent who has placed an advertisement for a full-time babysitter. They received information about a male or female, heterosexual or homosexual applicant (randomly assigned). Although participants preferred to hire (and felt more comfortable leaving their children with) a heterosexual woman than any other type of applicant, they believed that homosexual men and women were as knowledgeable about aspects of child care, e.g., nutrition, first aid, as their heterosexual peers. The least preferred child care worker was a heterosexual man, perhaps because such a target is inconsistent with traditional sex-role expectations.

[Antibacterial activity of aminoglycosides against nosocomial strains of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated between 1990 and 1999]. / Actividad de aminoglucósidos sobre cepas hospitalarias de Acinetobacter baumannii aisladas entre 1990 y 1998.

The antibacterial activity of selected aminoglycosides against 487 nosocomial strains of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from Chilean hospitals between 1990 and 1998 was investigated. Plasmid profiles were determined for some resistant isolates. A high frequency of resistant strains was found for all aminoglycosides assayed, with values ranging from 47% for amikacin (1990-1992) to 88% for gentamicin (1993-1994). The cure of a plasmid greater than 30 kb was associated with the loss of amikacin, kanamycin and neomycin resistance in some isolates. This result suggests that plasmid may harbor the genes encoding for the combination of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes AAC(6')I+APH(3'). Gentamicin resistance was not lost among cured strains, suggesting it may be encoded by genes located on the bacterial chromosome or transposons inserted on the chromosome.

[The heart and blood in the Mexican cosmos vision]. / El corazón y la sangre en la cosmovisión mexica.

The heart and blood have inspired the interest of many cultures'. Even before the heart became a subject of scientific study it was considered as a host to deities and feelings. Prehispanic peoples who inhabited Mesoamerica were not the exception. The heart and blood became the core of the life force and the link to a religious doctrine. It is very clear that these people knew the anatomy of the heart for their human sacrifices to their gods, to maintain the steady course of the planets through out the universe, which consisted of skillfully removing this vital organ as well as the blood for their offerings. Works of art such as paintings, sculptures, carvings, ceramics and even poetry portray the importance of the heart and blood in culture and religion. The aim of this review is to study from the historical and medical point of view, the heart and blood, and their importance to the early Mexicans, to enable them to face and understand the world around them.

Estudio clínico y nosológico de veinte casos de parafrenia / Nosologic and clinical study of 20 cases of paraphrenia

Se analizaron las historias clínicas de 20 pacientes diagnosticados como parafrenia. Los casos fueron rediagnosticados según el DSM-III-R y el borrador de la CIE-10. Hubo un predominio de mujeres con una edad promedio de 37.3 años. El perfil clínico fue de un apsicosis delirante-alucinatoria de curso crónico sin deterioro de la voluntad y de la actividad pragmática. Los casos analizados se distribuyeron en varias categorías de la CIE-10 y delDSM-III-R; hubo casos que no pudieron ser diagnosticados según el DSM-III-R. Se discute la utilidad de mantener la independencia nosológica de la parafrenia

Oral ciprofloxacin vs parenteral cefotaxime in the treatment of difficult skin and skin structure infections. A multicenter trial.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study was conducted of hospitalized patients to compare the efficacy and safety of oral ciprofloxacin (dosage, 750 mg every 12 hours) with intravenous cefotaxime (dosage, 2.0 g every 8 hours) as monotherapy for difficult skin and skin structure infections requiring hospitalization. Five hundred seventy patients were assessed for an analysis of safety and 461 patients were assessed for an analysis of efficacy. The most common infections were infected ulcers and abscesses. At the end of therapy, there was a higher incidence of recurrent or persistent organisms in the cefotaxime group compared with ciprofloxacin. Adverse reactions related to either therapy were rare. By pathogens, there were no differences in activity, except the higher rate of recurrent or persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in the cefotaxime group. By diagnosis, the two drugs had comparable efficacy, except for the higher incidence of bacteriologic failure in patients with polymicrobial infected ulcers in the cefotaxime group. Larger studies are needed to evaluate emergence of resistance to ciprofloxacin. Oral ciprofloxacin therapy is as safe and effective as parenteral cefotaxime in the treatment of difficult infections of the skin and skin structure, and affords the prospect of early discharge from the hospital and significant cost savings.

Intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin for treatment of mild and moderately severe bacterial infections.

The efficacy and safety of intramuscularly administered imipenem/cilastatin was studied in 70 patients with mild or moderately severe bacterial infections (skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and pelvic infections). Doses of imipenem/cilastatin ranged from 0.5 to 0.75 g twice daily. Fifty-five patients were evaluable for bacteriological efficacy; in the remaining 15 patients no pathogens were isolated or susceptibility data were lacking. MIC50 and MIC90 of imipenem were 0.12 mg/l and 0.5 mg/l, respectively, for Gram-negative pathogens isolated and 0.25 mg/l and 0.5 mg/l, respectively, for Gram-positive pathogens. Only one strain (a Flavobacterium odoratum) was resistant to imipenem. Clinical cure and bacteriological elimination was achieved in 94% of evaluable patients while 3% showed marked clinical improvement. Two patients were considered therapeutic failures. No clinical adverse effects were noted. Abnormal liver transaminases were recorded in 23% of the patients and 11% developed eosinophilia. In no patient was imipenem/cilastatin discontinued due to adverse effects. It is concluded that intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin in these patients was well tolerated and efficacious.

Memory effects of restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) and possible applications to ECT.

Restricted environmental stimulation (REST) has been shown to facilitate learning and memory in both human and animal experimental subjects. This paper reports early data from a test of the usefulness of REST in reducing post-ECT amnesia in depressive patients. Two such patients were placed in a quiet, dimly illuminated room for 2-4 hrs. after recovering from each ECT administration in a series of treatments; three others, following standard practice, were returned to their normal hospital rooms. Measures of memory (verbal, numerical, nonverbal, life event, and self-rating) were given prior to the first ECT treatment; after the first post-recovery session; after the last post-recovery session; and one week after the last ECT administration. The major difference found was that the REST group showed an improvement in self-rated memory functioning from the first to the last ECT administration that was 15 times as great as that reported by the control group. This finding is interesting because of the major role played by self-reported memory disturbances in the scientific, clinical, and popular evaluation of ECT. The sample size is being increased, as it must be for any reliable conclusions to be drawn from this study.